Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

The Maturation of Luke

Jeremy Igo

By Jeremy Igo,
in Carolina Panthers

Recommended Posts

Jeremy Igo Newbie

Jeremy Igo

Posted
Posted

As you all know, Peter King recently published an article where he discussed the maturation of Cam Newton. After spending time interviewing Luke Kuechly on the record one on one, King decided to write about an off the record discussion centered on Cam Newton.

 

It recently occurred to me that Peter King completely missed the opportunity to discuss an actual maturation example in a player. That player is Luke Kuechly.

 

What? Luke Kuechly has matured? Hasn't he always been a mature player? Well, yes and no.

 

For some players maturation means developing into a quality starter. For others, it means developing into a team leader.

 

In 2012, Luke Kuechly came into the league as "pro ready" as any college player could be. Still, he was a rookie, and rookies need mentors. Former Panthers middle linebacker Jon Beason was that mentor for Luke. Beason, who missed most of the season due to injury, took the time to mentor his eventual replacement. In fact, Panthers fans should thank Beason for not only his play on the field, but also the accelerated development of Kuechly. During Luke's rookie season, Beason predicted to me that Kuechly would be a great player in this league.

 

jon-beason-coach.jpg

 

Fast forward to 2014, the student is now the teacher. During the Friday night Bills preseason game, Luke was coaching up his crew on the sidelines well into the 4th quarter.

 

luke-kuechly-1.jpg

 

Kuechly has developed his own unique leadership style, different from Jon Beason's but just as effective.

 

Panthers linebacker Chase Blackburn recently described it.

 

"Fantastic. Quiet most of the time, but when it comes time to talk his words are powerful because he talks so little" Blackburn remarked. "He leads with his play. How he practices, how he prepares, and how he plays the game."

 

Kuechly has become the leader that every franchise in the league would love to have. Quiet but powerful, leading by example. These are the leaders that make every player around them better.

 

Now that is an actual maturation of a player worthy of discussion.

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
PantherWake Newbie

PantherWake

Posted
Posted

Kuechly is basically the MLB version of what everybody said Andrew Luck was gonna be at QB coming into the NFL and the funny thing about it is that, at the time, I hated the pick because we already had Beason and DT was the biggest weakness on the team.

 

Thank God I'm not a GM.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
lola Newbie

lola

Posted
Posted

I'm so proud to have such high caliber individuals on this team. Luke makes everyone around him better. How can you not want to play hard for someone who gives his all for the team all the time?

Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

Link to comment
Share on other sites
iBBB Newbie

iBBB

Posted
Posted

I'm embarrassed, but at the same time feel obligated to say, that I originally read this title wrong and was incredibly confused. 

 

haha, had to go back on top and reread the title to see what you mean. that would be confusing at a glance lol

Link to comment
Share on other sites
lola Newbie

lola

Posted
Posted

Luke is a coaches/owner/gms dream of a player. I like the fact he's so quiet/reserve off field but a shiit talking speed demon manbeast between the white lines.

This is how I am going to refer to him from here on out. Eggggggcellent.

Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Diehardpanth02
      The Panthers win streak is masking substandard quarterback play

      By Diehardpanth02 · Posted

      He’s been every bit as much of the problem as anyone else. You cant remove him from that fact, he is just as much part of the team and in THE most important position on the field. But this is the first season he’s seen any kind of continuity in his team and coaches. And he’s shown flashes here and there. But we do need more out of him going forward a lot more if we are going to be successful 
    • PappyMay
      The Panthers win streak is masking substandard quarterback play

      By PappyMay · Posted

      Bryce isn’t great and super mid. But I think can be a game manager. What do we think is out there? Daniel Jones isn’t going anywher. Mac Jones? Zach Wilson? Pickett. I’m just not sure what’s out there that is much better without having to give up a ton of capital. Rather take one more step closer to contention with our early rounders next year with FS and LB help. Make this  place where dang they got a defense and a WR1 and solid RB room. I can win with that and want to be here 
    • amcoolio
      Vet QB Options - Trade/Cut/FA Edition

      By amcoolio · Posted

      AR15 is if Justin Fields was fragile and his teammates hated him. No thanks. Ya'll think you hate watching Bryce Young? Wait until your QB can't even complete a 7 yard pass over the middle, which Fields and Richardson can't do. If the draft class was better, I could absolutely see the Titans moving on from Ward already if they got the #1 pick. But so far the college QB's haven't impressed enough. They'll have flashes, but then follow it up with a very meh game. Kyler is already done in Arizona, but he has a ridiculous contract and he's basically Bryce that likes to scramble, so no thanks. If Lawrence can't produce with that team in Jacksonville, what do you think he'll do here? He's tall Bryce who can throw deep but can't make the 4th down throws and crumbles in the red zone. No thanks. I do think Canales wants to move on from Bryce, his body language says so even in wins. He treated Bryce pretty odd this week and Bryce looked checked out in the Packers game. But unless they make another risky trade, its going to be slim pickings. Basically our hopes lie in hitting early in the draft with a Mateer, Nussmeier, Beck type or finding a random backup free agent that has another gear to hit.  I think even with the draft being wishy washy, 4-5 QB's will be taken in the top 7. A lot of teams are just that desperate.
×
×
  • Create New...